Soooooooooo...

Regarding my seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which some people think is in all in the head and not actually, y'know, real.

It appears that very little (and very expensive) light gadgets actually do work.

Hunh.

Either that, or this is the most massive case of mind-over-matter I've ever experienced.

So, anyway, meet the insanely expensive goLITE P2 from Apollo Health (I was able to pick it up for $120 less from Costco's Web site), my new best buddy for the next two months:



Have I mentioned that it's a teeny tiny thing? 'Cause it is. I basically can hold this puppy in the palm of my hand, which is a good thing because I can just sling it into my purse and bring it to work with me so I can receive my morning treatment while at my desk.

Strangely enough, the blue LED lites don't radiate light (which is why no one knows I'm using it unless they walk right into my cube and see it), nor is there anything on the UV wavelength (no winter-time tan). But just try looking directly at the screen. Even at 50% strength it's a big ol' "ow" on the retinas.

So, I've been using this thing for a couple of days now (30 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes after sundown), and I'm completely stunned at just how well this is working.

The first time I used it (nighttime, 15 minutes), I was pretty convinced that I had bought myself a placebo because I honestly didn't feel anything. As soon as my 15 minutes were up, I shut it down and put it away. Then I called up the 'Rents. Within 5 minutes, I started giggling like I was stoned. (Hell, I felt kind of stoned.)

Again, could be placebo effect, I figured.

But it's been 3 days and I legitimately do feel like I'm back to my normal self. Seriously. With the added benefit that it seems the body goes from 60 mph to 0 mph right around 11:15 p.m. How fast is the deceleration? It's either go to bed now or consider sleeping on the floor right where you're standing, and after 7 hours, you're up and ready to go.

Compare to last week where getting from point A to point B required me to crawl across the floor with my fingernails. Then, having trouble falling asleep, sleeping for 10 hours, and wanting to sleep more.

I've always had chronic sleep problems (insomnia and hypersomnia both at different times), so this is a miracle that's akin to the miracle worked by a 3-month course of treatment with Wellbutrin for my chronic insomnia that went on for nearly 5 years. With less side effects. And it's faster-working, too.

Plus, have I mentioned that I'm now wide-awake during the day? As in wide-awake with too much energy? For serious.

So, yeah. Maybe this thing is a placebo and it's all in head. Could be.

Placebo or not, this puppy is worth Every. Single. Penny. I'm actually awake and accomplishing things. Plus, I'm in a good mood instead of going through my usual Holiday Bitch-I-Tude.

Good heavens! There's a light at the end of the tunnel for my chronic sleep problems. And it's a blue LED light. That makes me insanely chipper.

Yes, I'm spamming you.

Ummm, yeah. About Radio 1 editing "The Fairytale of New York." That didn't last long. Heeee!

What? I like this song. It's heartbreaking and depressing lyrics set to an insanely cheerful tune. After hearing the canned, soulless Christmas carols on the radio (I've sprained my radio button stabbing finger three times over the past month), this is like a cool drink of water in the desert.

In honor of the forces of artistic integrity winning this one, I present you with the video off YouTube.

And for the record, there's no such thing as an NYPD choir. There probably should be, but there totally isn't.